The structure of a stewardship regime for second generation anticoagulant rodenticides (SGARs) has been proposed by a comprehensive stakeholder group and agreed as appropriate by the Health and Safety Executive.
The need arises from a 2013 HSE ruling that products containing SGARs will be authorised in the UK only if a comprehensive stewardship programme for all users is introduced. The main aim is to minimise as far a possible the exposure of wildlife to SGARs.
The approved structure involves four Sector Groups: professional pest control (including local authorities); farming; gamekeeping; and suppliers (including amateur use). Through these groups, co-ordinated by the Campaign for Responsible Rodenticide Use, the stewardship regime is being developed for presentation in March to a designated Oversight Group made up from HSE, Defra and Department of Health officials. CRRU chairman Dr Alan Buckle reports widespread engagement in the development process from a broad range of stakeholders.
Each Sector Group under its own chairperson has drawn up plans for a range of stewardship measures and for monitoring their benefits. These plans are currently being aligned and consolidated by a Steering Group chaired by Dr Buckle. The resulting documentation will be delivered during February to HSE for distribution to all participants in the original mid-2013 HSE consultation process. It will also be available from the HSE website.
When the proposed stewardship programme is endorsed by the Oversight Group, implementation will begin immediately.
